China’s new detonation engine: A supersonic jet could soon fly passengers at 3,106 mph, cutting global travel to just two hours

 

 

China’s new detonation engine: A supersonic jet could soon fly passengers at 3,106 mph, cutting global travel to just two hours

 

China has tested a groundbreaking supersonic engine that could revolutionize air travel, enabling flights from Beijing to New York in just two hours.

 

Developed by aerospace firm Space Transportation (Lingkong Tianxing Technology), the JinDou400 detonation ramjet engine achieved speeds of Mach 4 (3,106 mph) at altitudes above 65,600 feet during its recent test. Unlike traditional jet engines, this innovative design uses shock waves from detonation combustion, boosting the engine’s thrust-to-weight ratio, reducing costs, and simplifying its structure.

 

With plans to integrate this technology into its Yunxing supersonic civilian jet, Space Transportation aims to outperform retired supersonic aircraft like the Concorde.

 

The Yunxing jet will use boosters for vertical takeoff, accelerate to Mach 4 speeds at high altitudes, and decelerate using a liquid rocket engine for controlled vertical landings. 

 

The company expects a commercial-ready supersonic passenger aircraft by 2027 and hopes to launch its first flights by 2030. If successful, this innovation could redefine global travel, drastically reducing flight times and opening new possibilities for high-speed point-to-point transportation.